War for Freedom

(Chapter 16)/Building Trust

Via's POV:
April 5th, 2093, 10:10:
Vanguard Base:

Inside our own gym, I was hitting a punching bag out anger. That fucking no-fur had to pull our ass out of the fire again, saving our goddamn lives when we failed to kill that mutant. True, Chloe may have landed the killing blow, but Zero was the first to keep it at bay. I hate myself for being less powerful than him, knowing that I couldn't surpass him in power.

Gritting my teeth, I punched the bag even harder, thinking about everything that no-fur has done for us. He's saved the lives of everyone on the Alpha Team more than once, more than I can remember. He's fought things that would've destroyed everyone else within an instance and won most of the time. And, he has a stupid healing factor, one so dumb that even death couldn't take him no matter how hard it tried.

Pulling my fist back, I let out a roar before hitting the punching back, sending it flying before it struck a wall, breaking apart and joining the pile of destroyed punching bags I've been using. Breathing heavily, I walked to the side and grabbed another punching bag, hanging it up before continuing my punching. All I could think about was Zero as I punched, wishing I was punching him instead. However, as I pulled my right fist back, I felt another hand grab it, holding it in place.

Turning my head, I saw Chloe standing next to me, releasing my fist before looking past the punching bag. She then looked back at me before asking,

Chloe: "How long have you been in here?"

Via (scoffs): "Not long enough."

I then turned around and grabbed my water bottle, drinking a big swish, sighing in relief afterwards. My throat was very dry, huh, looking at the clock, I've been in here for over four hours, without breaks until now. Still, it wasn't enough, I bet if Zero wanted to, he could fight non-stop for over ten days at least without break. I have to get better if I have any chance with at least getting past his normal body without him using abilities.

As I out the water bottle down, I turned back and looked at Chloe before asking while adjusting my workout bra,

Via: "Do we have a mission, or is this more of a training session?"

Chloe: "A bit of both, I want you and Zero to work together to break into a facility and gather information on the C.A. movements."

I then stopped in place, looking back at her as if she was serious. After realizing quickly that she was, I asked,

Via: "Why?"

Chloe: "So you can trust him better."

Via (throws her hands out): "You're really forcing me to work with him?"

Chloe (tilts her head): "You work with him all the time Via, and besides, you're warming up to him."

Via (confused): "Excuse me, the fuck you mean by, 'warming up?'"

Chloe: "You don't insult him as much as you used to, and while you may say what you say, your body relaxes whenever Zero is near you, telling me that you're comfortable around him."

I was absolutely dumbfounded by this; she surely has to be joking now. But looking at her helmet and the way her tail stays in place, I could tell she was serious again. Just how the hell does she do that, she can tell how we feel by our body movements, and that terrifies me. Still, I doubt she's telling the truth about me and Zero, most likely it's a ploy to get me to work with Zero.

Though, if I know her well enough, this request was more of an order, as she will have me do it one way or the other. Wanting to avoid getting reprimanded for not wanting to work with a human, I sighed before telling her while looking away,